The original itinerary of this guide, with updated data: three days graded E, suitable for hikers with some mountain experience.
Day 1 — Pennapiedimonte and the Sant'Angelo cave
Start: Pennapiedimonte, Balzolo (710 m)
Time: about 3 h 30 in totalAscent: about +450 mGrade: E
From the rock village of Pennapiedimonte, trail G1 climbs past old terraces to the Croce (1,055 m), overlooking the Avello Valley (about 3 hours return, +350 m). G1 continues to the Rifugio Pomilio (1,888 m), now closed. In the afternoon, drive to Palombaro (about 15 minutes) and walk from Sterparo (750 m) to the Sant'Angelo cave (850 m) in about 20 minutes. In spring 2026 some Palombaro trails were closed because of avalanche danger: check the list of open trails.
Day 2 — Fara San Martino Gorges
Start: Fara San Martino (440 m)
Time: about 3 h; 6 h with the Santo Spirito ValleyAscent: about +150 m; +650 m to Bocca dei ValloniGrade: E
Trail H1 enters the San Martino Gorges, a canyon with sheer walls, and reaches the ruins of the monastery of San Martino in Valle. About 3 hours return, suitable for families too; a helmet is recommended in the gorges. Fit hikers can continue up the Santo Spirito Valley to Bocca dei Valloni (1,050 m, about 2 h 30 from the village).
Read more →
Day 3 — San Bartolomeo hermitage and the Orfento Valley
Start: Roccamorice, then Caramanico Terme
Time: about 3 h in totalAscent: about +250 mGrade: ECar: Fara → Roccamorice about 1 h 15
A short path with steps cut into the rock leads to the hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio (under an hour return). Then on to Caramanico Terme: after the compulsory registration at the Visitor Centre, walk the Scalelle trail (B6 and S), one-way from the Visitor Centre to the Ponte di Caramanico: about 1 h 30, closed in the rain. You cannot enter the valley from the Ponte di Caramanico; the Ponte della Pietra loop is partly closed after the storms of April 2026.
Read more →
